Building a Blue Economy Workforce That Works for Everyone
The ocean jobs in our region, from fishing and aquaculture to marine construction and blue tech, should be open to everyone who wants them.
Women, people of color, and first-generation workers are underrepresented across many ocean industries.
Bringing new people into the blue economy is only half the job. Keeping them, and helping them grow into leaders, matters just as much.
The Ocean Collective works with organizations that focus on helping workplaces be welcoming and helping new entrants stay in the blue economy.
Three organizations helping us build a more inclusive ocean workforce.
Gender Equity in Seafood and the Blue Economy
Seafood And Gender Equality (SAGE) is a global nonprofit that works with businesses to strengthen women's leadership, bring more gender-diverse voices into decision-making, and build workplaces where every employee can do their best work.
Its services include consulting, industry webinars, roundtables, conference programs, and a global network of women in seafood.
What SAGE offers employers
Helping local employers keep the people they hire and support them as they advance.
The Ocean Collective intends to facilitate and support local employers to use SAGE's playbooks for keeping the people they hire and supporting them as they advance.
We will also consult with SAGE to develop local workforce programs that expand opportunity regardless of gender, and co-lead workshops for our blue economy community that help businesses create inclusive leadership pipelines and uplift diverse perspectives.
Learn more about SAGE
Diverse Talent for Aquaculture and Maritime Careers
Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA) is building a diverse, well-trained workforce for the aquaculture and maritime sectors.
Through hands-on internships, industry partnerships, and a growing professional network, MIA opens pathways for people from underrepresented communities into meaningful careers and leadership roles in the blue economy.
What MIA offers
Expanding mentorship and internship opportunities in California.
The Ocean Collective is partnering with MIA so blue economy companies can connect with emerging talent from underrepresented communities. Together we will:
- Grow a statewide pipeline of MIA applicants for aquaculture and maritime internships
- Use MIA's retention playbooks to help first-generation and underrepresented workers stay and advance in their jobs
- Draw on MIA's expertise to design workforce programs that are inclusive, safe, and accessible
- Bring MIA into networking events that build community and industry connections
Equity, Representation, and Healing in Maritime Culture
Sea Potential is a Seattle-based organization advancing equity across the maritime and blue economy sectors. It supports BIPOC youth and helps companies rethink workplace culture, combining representation, healing-centered education, and community-informed expertise so that people from all backgrounds can see themselves in these careers, feel valued, and thrive.
Its work in the Pacific Northwest maritime community offers lessons that carry over directly to our coast.
What Sea Potential offers
Sea Potential runs youth programs and offers consulting that helps companies spot blind spots, strengthen their equity strategies, and build a real sense of belonging. Consulting services include:
Designing workforce programs that are intentional, effective, and inclusive.
The Ocean Collective plans to consult with Sea Potential on best practices for workforce programs that serve everyone entering the blue economy. We plan to:
- Bring Sea Potential's equity-centered approaches into our workforce programs
- Invite Sea Potential to networking events that raise up diverse voices and strengthen community connections
Let's build this workforce together.
Interested in working with SAGE, MIA, or Sea Potential? Contact us and we'll make the introduction.